25th Infantry Division (India)
Encyclopedia
The 25th Indian Infantry Division was a division
of the Indian Army during World War II which fought in the Burma Campaign
during World War II
.
in South India
on 1 August 1942 under Major-General Henry Davies the Division was disbanded at the end of World War II.
The division's original role as conceived by Army Commander General Sir W. J. Slim was to meet any attempted Japanese invasion while at the same time training actively for jungle warfare
. It first saw action, having become part of Indian XV Corps
, at the onset of the third Arakan Campaign in March 1944 where it held and enlarged the Maungdaw Base and established superiority over the enemy.
In May 1944 command of the division was assumed by Major-General George Wood, previously commanding British 4th Infantry Brigade in India. In November 1944, supported by destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy
, the division cleared the Mayu Range down to Foul Point
and occupied Akyab Island. Following this, with 3 Commando Brigade
under command, it made a series of successful seaborne attacks down the coast, supported by sloops of the Royal Indian Navy
and winning four Victoria Crosses in the process. These actions included the decisive Battle of Kangaw and landings at Myebon
and Ruywa to intercept the retreating Japanese.
In April 1945 the division was withdrawn to South India to prepare for the invasion of Malaya
, having been chosen for the assault landing role. Although hostilities then ceased, the operation proceeded as planned and 25th Division was the first formation to land in Malaya, occupying the capital, Kuala Lumpur
, and then accepting the surrender of the Japanese Army.
Commanders divisional artillery:
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the Indian Army during World War II which fought in the Burma Campaign
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
Originally formed in BangaloreBangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
in South India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
on 1 August 1942 under Major-General Henry Davies the Division was disbanded at the end of World War II.
The division's original role as conceived by Army Commander General Sir W. J. Slim was to meet any attempted Japanese invasion while at the same time training actively for jungle warfare
Jungle warfare
Jungle warfare is a term used to cover the special techniques needed for military units to survive and fight in jungle terrain.It has been the topic of extensive study by military strategists, and was an important part of the planning for both sides in many conflicts, including World War II and the...
. It first saw action, having become part of Indian XV Corps
XV Corps (British India)
The XV Corps was a formation of the British Indian Army, which was formed in India during World War II. It took part in the Burma Campaign and was disbanded after the end of the war.-World War II:...
, at the onset of the third Arakan Campaign in March 1944 where it held and enlarged the Maungdaw Base and established superiority over the enemy.
In May 1944 command of the division was assumed by Major-General George Wood, previously commanding British 4th Infantry Brigade in India. In November 1944, supported by destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, the division cleared the Mayu Range down to Foul Point
Foul Point
Foul Point is the north point of the island, with off-lying rocks, lying at the east side of the entrance to Ommanney Bay on the north side of Coronation Island, in the South Orkney Islands. Discovered in December 1821 in the course of the joint cruise by Captain George Powell, British sealer, and...
and occupied Akyab Island. Following this, with 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
under command, it made a series of successful seaborne attacks down the coast, supported by sloops of the Royal Indian Navy
Royal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
and winning four Victoria Crosses in the process. These actions included the decisive Battle of Kangaw and landings at Myebon
Myebon
-External links:*...
and Ruywa to intercept the retreating Japanese.
In April 1945 the division was withdrawn to South India to prepare for the invasion of Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
, having been chosen for the assault landing role. Although hostilities then ceased, the operation proceeded as planned and 25th Division was the first formation to land in Malaya, occupying the capital, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, and then accepting the surrender of the Japanese Army.
Formation During World War II
General Officer Commanding:- Major-General Henry Lowrie Davies (August 1942 - October 1944)
- Major-General George Neville Wood (from October 1944)
Headquarters
- 19th King George's Own Lancers19th King George's Own LancersThe 19th Lancers is an armoured regiment of the Pakistan Army. Before 1956, it was known as 19th King George V's Own Lancers, which was a regular cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, by the amalgamation of 18th King George's Own Lancers and 19th Lancers...
(Div Reconnaissance Reg) - Royal ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
Commanders divisional artillery:
- Brigadier G.H. Johnstone (August 1942 - June 1943)
- Brigadier A.G. O'C. Scott (June 1943 - August 1944)
- Brigadier A.J. Daniell (August 1944 - April 1945)
- Brigadier N.P.H. Tapp (April 1945 - )
- HQ
- 8 & 27 FD Regts RA
- 5 Indian FD Regt IA
- 33 Indian Mountain Regt IA
- 7 Indian Anti-Tank Regt IA
- Indian Engineers: Sappers & Miners
- 63 & 425 FD Coys Q.V.O. Madras
- 93 FD Coy Royal Bombay
- 325 FD Park Coy Q.V.O. Madras
- 25 Indian Div Signals
- 7 Bn 16th Punjab Regiment16th Punjab RegimentThe 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
51 Indian Infantry Brigade
Commanders:- Brigadier T.H. Angus ( - Nov 1944)
- Brigadier R.A. Hutton (May 1944 - )
-
- HQ
- 8 BN York and Lancaster RegimentYork and Lancaster Regiment-History:It was formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:*65th Regiment*84th RegimentThe title of the regiment was derived not from the cities of York and Lancaster, or from the counties...
(until October 1944) - 2 BN 2nd Punjab Regiment2nd Punjab RegimentThe 2nd Punjab Regiment was a British Indian Army regiment from 1922 to the partition of India in 1947.The regiment was formed by the amalgamation of other regiments:*1st Battalion, from the 67th Punjabis, formerly the 7th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry...
(from September 1944) - 16 BN 10th Baluch Regiment10th Baluch RegimentThe 10th Baluch or Baluch Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. After the Partition of India, it was transferred to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, it was amalgamated with the 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments...
- 17 BN 5th Mahratta Light Infantry5th Mahratta Light InfantryThe 5th Mahratta Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, whenthe Indian government reformed the army moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments. The regiment fought in World War II and raised 30 battalions...
(until March 1945) - 8 BN 19th Hyderabad Regiment19th Hyderabad RegimentThe 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
(from March 1944)
53 Indian Infantry Brigade
Commanders:- Brigadier G.A.P. Coldstream (to August 1944)
- Brigadier A.G.O'C. Scott (August 1944 to December 1944)
- Brigadier B.C.H. Gerty (from December 1944)
- HQ
- 9 BN York and Lancaster RegimentYork and Lancaster Regiment-History:It was formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:*65th Regiment*84th RegimentThe title of the regiment was derived not from the cities of York and Lancaster, or from the counties...
- 17 BN 5th Mahratta Light Infantry5th Mahratta Light InfantryThe 5th Mahratta Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, whenthe Indian government reformed the army moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments. The regiment fought in World War II and raised 30 battalions...
- 9 BN 9th Jat Regiment9th Jat RegimentThe 9th Jat Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government reformed the army, moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments.-World War II:...
- 4 BN 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles18th Royal Garhwal RiflesThe 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government decided to reform the army moving away from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments. They were they only Indian Infantry regiment to remain intact...
74 Indian Infantry Brigade
Commanders:- Brigadier J.E. Hirst (to March 1945)
- Brigadier J.C.W. Cargill (from March 1945)
- HQ
- 6 BN Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
- 14 BN 10th Baluch Regiment10th Baluch RegimentThe 10th Baluch or Baluch Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. After the Partition of India, it was transferred to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, it was amalgamated with the 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments...
- 3 BN 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)The 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army before being transferred to the British Army on India's independence in 1947. The 4th Battalion joined the Indian Army as the 5th Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles , where it exists to this day...
3 Commando Brigade
Commanders:- Brigadier
- HQ
- 42 Royal Marine Commando
- 44 Royal Marine Commando
- 1 Army CommandoBritish CommandosThe British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
- 3 Army Commando
Support Units
- Royal Indian Army Service Corps
- 18, 39 & 59 Animal Transport Coys (Mules)
- 68, 81 & 101 Gp Tpt Coys
- Comp Supply Units
- Inland Water Tpt
- Medical Services
- I.M.S-R.A.M.C-I.M.D-I.H.C-I.A.M.C
- 51, 52 & 53 Indian Field Ambulances
- 25 Indian Div Provost Unit
- Indian Army Ordnance Corps
- 125 Ordnance sub-Park
- Indian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
- 76, 77 & 78 Infantry Workshop Coys
- 25 Indian Div Recovery Coy
Assigned brigades
All theses brigades were assigned or attached to the division at some time during World War II- 51st Indian Infantry Brigade51st Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 51st Indian Infantry Brigade was an formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in December 1941, in India, and initially assigned to HQ Rawalpindi District...
- 53rd Indian Infantry Brigade53rd Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 53rd Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in March 1942, in India. In April 1942, it was assigned to the 20th Indian Infantry Division but was soon after in August 1942 transferred to the 25th Indian Infantry Division, staying...
- 74th Indian Infantry Brigade74th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 74th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in July 1942, in India. The brigade was assigned to the 25th Indian Infantry Division and fought in the Burma Campaign.-Formation:...
- 22nd (East Africa) Infantry Brigade
- 3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
- 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade2nd (West Africa) Infantry BrigadeThe 2nd Infantry Brigade was a World War II unit of the British Army it was formed from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1940...